Author
Topic: California White Leghorns (Read 3460 times)

My wife and I were out picking up a few things from the feed store. They had some California White Leghorn Chicks. My wife and I are considering getting a few chickens after the new year. I had heard Buff Orpingtons are good. But I was curious about these leghorn chickens. So does anybody have any? And what are they like? How is their temperment? How skitish are they? How good of egg layers are they?

I am sure I could look this stuff up but I would rather hear from the voices of experience.

Sincerely,Brendhan

Logged

The status is not quo. The world is a mess and I just need to rule it. Dr. Horrible

White leghorns are considered the premier comercial egg producing chicken in the USA--At least it had been post WWII until the 1980's. It lays a nice white shelled eggs. Most of the white eggs in the supermarkets in my area are from white Leghorns. Commercially eggs are produced in caged birds w/o roosters.Buff Orpingtons are a good duel (egg/meat) purpose bird a bit larger than the Leghorn. The Orpingtons lay larger sized brown eggs. The only chickens rated larger in size than the Buff Orpington (thought are several rated the same size) is the Jersy Giant. Eggs from chickens raised on the ground verses in cages have a much more richer taste. Fertilzed eggs taste even better--Let's hear it for the Rooster.My barnyard flock are a cross of Aruacana, Buff Orpington, Leghorns, and Light Brahma. I get brown, pink, green, and tan colored eggs but no white 1s. I'm trying to develop a chicken that is self-brooding, hardy, and versitile.

Logged

Life is a school. What have you learned? :brian: The greatest danger to our society is apathy, vote in every election!

buff orpingtons are considered a heavy breed along with rhode island reds, jersey giants, and the other brown egg layers are. i've had most all of those and they are pretty much interchangeable as far as i'm concerned except for their appearance...so if you are going for one of these then get what looks nice to you.we've had leghorns and they might be well suited for your climate and they lay nice big white eggs. they did not winter well here but you don't have that situation where you are brendhan.i can't tell the difference between fertilized and unfertilized eggs in the way they taste, but there is a big difference between factory eggs and home eggs, especially in the freshness.

Love the eggs from free ranging chickens...... Never could stand those flighty old Leghorn chickens, give me a nice flock of Rhode Island Reds or Barred Rocks, These are two great dual purpose birds. If your looking for a real egg laying machine get yourself some Muscovy ducks......

The Orpingtons are great, we love them and have a large flock. They are great layers and setters and make good mamas-people tend to prefer the brown eggs also if you are interested in selling but there is no nutritional diff between white and brown eggs.

Yes absolutely. My wife and I are bringing up some Rhode Island Reds and Plymouth Rocks now. I love free range chickens that lay brown eggs. Hopefully they will start laying in February. Just a side note: About 14 hours of light is optimal for laying hens in the winter.

understudy.....i had this picture of you with your truck. back end with crates of chickens, feathers flying...as you rednecked your way down the road. maybe a pig in with the crates?dog drooling out the window. gun rack in the back window. you with your ball cap and snap down shirt.

ah....40. great age. it's the age where you finally decide you don't care what others think, and you will let your true self out!! :evil:

Logged

.....The greatest changes occur in their country without their cooperation. They are not even aware of precisely what has taken place. They suspect it; they have heard of the event by chance. More than that, they are unconcerned with the fortunes of their village, the safety of their streets, the fate of their church and its vestry. They think that such things have nothing to do with them, that they belong to a powerful stranger called “the government.” They enjoy these goods as tenants, without a sense of ownership, and never give a thought to how they might be improved.....

understudy.....i had this picture of you with your truck. back end with crates of chickens, feathers flying...as you rednecked your way down the road. maybe a pig in with the crates?dog drooling out the window. gun rack in the back window. you with your ball cap and snap down shirt.

ah....40. great age. it's the age where you finally decide you don't care what others think, and you will let your true self out!! :evil:

My husband wants to start a church called "the Flying Spaghetti Monster" :) ;) :). Where on earth did that come from. Have a wonderful and great day in this great ol' world. Cindi

Logged

There are strange things done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold. The Arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold. The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, but the queerest they ever did see, what the night on the marge of Lake Lebarge, I cremated Sam McGee. Robert Service